| In the words of the illustrious designer Coco Chanel, "A | | | | was used for gem settings. Cameos were also |
| girl should be two things: classy and fabulous". | | | | produced by using glass and Wedgwood porcelain |
| One of the ways to become classy and fabulous is | | | | paste. |
| by wearing "classy and fabulous jewels"! | | | | When Napoleon became Emperor of France in 1804, |
| The ancient Egyptians were the first to experiment | | | | the revival of ostentatious display of jewels and |
| with gold in 3000 BC. Gold was rare, did not tarnish | | | | elevated fashion sense evolved. Thus began the era |
| and could easily be made into various forms. They | | | | of neo-classical style. Napoleon's family had all of the |
| made metalizing jewelry, handcrafted unique jewelry, | | | | royal family gems reset in this design. He also created |
| handmade wood jewelry, custom handcrafted jewelry, | | | | the popularity of cameos after he had his coronation |
| handcrafted beaded jewelry for applications such as | | | | crown set with them. |
| collars, bracelets, necklaces, rings, earrings, head | | | | In 1837 when Queen Victoria came to the throne, |
| ornaments and pectoral ornaments of gold. When King | | | | jewelry was most romantic. Until that time, most |
| Tutankhamen's tomb was discovered in 1922, it | | | | jewelry was made in Europe but began to be made in |
| contained many gold artifacts including the King's gold | | | | America and Australia. This was also the era when |
| funeral mask. | | | | Tiffany began to manufacturer jewelry in American |
| History shows the Greeks were the first to | | | | and opened shops in important European cities. |
| incorporate gems in jewelry as early as 1400 BC. The | | | | There have been many phases of jewelry as is noted |
| Greeks were leaders in producing beads by joining | | | | above. Some that follow are Arts and Crafts and the |
| two flat pieces of gold and filling them with sand. | | | | Art Nouveau styles. |
| In the Tuscany region, the Italians experimented with | | | | One item that never goes out of style is the pearl. |
| gold as early as the eighth century BC. In addition to | | | | Pearls can worn by all ages, with all modes of dress |
| coins, one of their innovations was making pendants | | | | and enhance any complexion. They can be fake, real |
| that were hollow and could be filled with perfume. | | | | freshwater or cultured and are very affordable. |
| They also incorporated gems in their works. | | | | Coco Chanel and Elsa Schiaparelli influenced what is |
| As a natural progression, nobility did not want common | | | | known as cocktail jewelry in the 1920's. They |
| folk who were able to indulge in real jewelry to | | | | advocated the wearing of costume or cocktail jewelry |
| compete with them, and faux jewelry came into | | | | mixed with genuine gem pieces. |
| existence. Real gemstones and pearls originated in the | | | | Movies and television have done much to influence |
| east and were primarily purchased by the Italians. The | | | | fashion. Women want to copy the outfits worn by the |
| Venetians and people from Murano made imitation | | | | actors. The glamour of the two mediums has done |
| gems and pearls from glass. These faux items were | | | | much to revive the use and quality of costume |
| distributed throughout the world. | | | | jewelry. |
| In the 1700's, Paris became the main producer of fake | | | | All who want to be classy and fabulous should have |
| pearls. Most fake jewelry originated in Paris after 1734 | | | | an adequate wardrobe of fine jewelry along with faux |
| due to the works of Georges Strass who discovered | | | | to be considered well groomed as well as adding a |
| a compound of glass, lead oxide and potash. After | | | | dash of panache to one's personality. |
| 1760, the honor proceeded to England where steel | | | | |